Anti-snoring device and method of use

ABSTRACT

An anti-snoring device is provided that includes a flexible hollow tube for insertion into the user&#39;s mouth, having proximal and distal ends and an outer perimeter. The tube includes an extraoral segment at its proximal end, an intraoral segment at its distal end and an intermediate segment extending therebetween. The extraoral and intraoral segments each include at least one opening. The extraoral segment is for extending beyond the user&#39;s outer lips, the intermediate segment is of a sufficient length for extending along the buccopharyngeal pathway of the user&#39;s mouth, and the intraoral segment is of a sufficient length for extending beyond a retromolar space in the user&#39;s mouth, into the oropharynx and terminating between the posterior tongue and the soft palate. The anti-snoring device also includes a stop extending from the outer perimeter of the tube on the intraoral segment for securing the intraoral segment within the user&#39;s oropharynx. A method of reducing snoring in a user&#39;s mouth utilizing the above described anti-snoring device is also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to an anti-snoring devicefor insertion into a user's mouth for providing an unobstructedbuccopharyngeal pathway for inspiratory and expiratory airflow toprevent snoring, sleep disordered breathing and/or obstructive sleepapnea.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Sleep Apnea is a common disorder affecting approximately20,000,000 Americans. Sleep Apnea refers to a cessation of breathingduring sleep that lasts at least 10 seconds. Snoring is another commonsleep disorder. By conservative estimates, approximately 80,000,000Americans are afflicted with snoring.

[0003] These sleep disorders cause countless hours of lost sleep andproductivity for the afflicted persons, as well as their sleepingpartners. In addition, Sleep Apnea is highly associated (50%) withessential hypertension, obesity and heart disease. Moreover, extremecases of Sleep Apnea can be life threatening.

[0004] Current therapy includes sleep position modification, weightloss, and/or lifestyle changes such as the elimination of alcohol, druguse and/or over-eating. Other therapies include the use of mechanicaldevices such as oral or nasal devices that augment the airway, surgicalprocedures to enlarge and stabilize the airway during sleep, andcontinuous positive airway pressure devices.

[0005] Nasal devices that dilate the anterior nares by external tractionor internal splinting have been used with minimal success. Nasalintubation is poorly tolerated and traumatic to the user.

[0006] Current oral devices are typically of two types. One type of oraldevice involves a tongue retention device that advances and secures thetongue using suction, or mechanical tongue depression and stabilization.However, this type of oral device has limited success and is poorlytolerated by the user. A second type of oral device is a mandibularrepositioning device that advances the lower jaw relative to the fixedupper jaw to expand the cross-sectional area of the pharynx therebyimproving airflow and preventing collapse. These devices have beenvariably effective, but commonly have both comfort and complianceproblems.

[0007] Surgical treatments are varied and include reconstruction of thepalate and uvula, various methods to shrink and stiffen the soft tissueof the upper airway, tonsillectomy, laser treatment, radio frequencytissue reduction, hyoid suspension, and tongue base excision andretention. More radical surgical treatments for severe disorders includetracheotomy and surgical advancement of the upper and lower jaws.Surgical treatments are typically highly expensive, painful, complicatedand have varying success rates (typically 40-60%).

[0008] Nasal and/or oral continuous positive airway pressure has beenthe most successful of the current sleep disorder treatments. However,this treatment is highly expensive and poorly tolerated by many user'swho typically find the treatment intrusive and intolerable. Accordingly,a need exists for an effective, well tolerated, economical treatment forpersons afflicted with sleep disordered breathing.

SUMMARY

[0009] In one embodiment, the present invention is an anti-snoringdevice that includes a flexible hollow tube for insertion into a user'smouth, having proximal and distal ends and an outer perimeter. The tubeincludes an extraoral segment at its proximal end, an intraoral segmentat its distal end and an intermediate segment extending therebetween.The extraoral and intraoral segments each include at least one opening.The extraoral segment is for extending beyond the user's outer lips, theintermediate segment is of sufficient length for extending along thebuccopharyngeal pathway of the user's mouth, and the intraoral segmentis of sufficient length for extending beyond a retromolar space in theuser's mouth, into the oropharynx and terminating between the posteriortongue and the soft palate. The anti-snoring device also includes a stopextending from the outer perimeter of the tube on the intraoral segmentfor securing the intraoral segment within the user's oropharynx.

[0010] Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method ofreducing snoring in a user's mouth. The method includes inserting intothe user's mouth a flexible hollow tube that has an extraoral segment atits proximal end, an intraoral segment at its distal end and anintermediate segment extending therebetween, wherein the extraoral andintraoral segments each include at least one opening. The method furtherincludes positioning the extraoral segment of the tube exterior to theuser's lips, positioning the intermediate segment of the tube along thebuccopharyngeal pathway of the user's mouth and positioning theintraoral segment of the tube beyond a retromolar space in the user'smouth, into the oropharynx and terminating between the posterior tongueand the soft palate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] These and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of ananti-snoring device according to the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of another embodiment of ananti-snoring device according to the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 1C is a front perspective view of another embodiment of ananti-snoring device according to the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional side view of the anti-snoring deviceof FIG. 1C;

[0016]FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of another embodiment of ananti-snoring device according to the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2B is a front perspective view of another embodiment of ananti-snoring device according to the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional side view of the anti-snoring deviceof FIG. 2B;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper side of a user'smouth having an anti-snoring device according to the present inventioninserted therein.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of ananti-snoring device according to the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of another embodiment of ananti-snoring device according to the present invention; and

[0022]FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view of the anti-snoring deviceof FIG. 5A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1A-5, an embodiment of the present invention isan anti-snoring device for insertion into a user's mouth for providingan unobstructed buccopharyngeal pathway for inspiratory and expiratoryairflow to prevent snoring, sleep disordered breathing and/orobstructive sleep apnea. Snoring is a common benign conditioncharacterized by noisy harsh breathing during sleep resulting from softtissue airway collapse and vibration during the respiratory cycle. Thiscreates a dynamic vibratory resonance between the pressure ofrespiratory effort and the inherent elastic recoil of the soft tissues.

[0024] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1A-5, the anti-snoring device 10includes a flexible hollow tube 8 having three segments, an extraoralsegment 14, an intermediate segment 16, and an intraoral segment 18. Theextraoral 14 and intraoral 18 segments each include at least oneopening. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the extraoral segment14 includes an open end 20 and the intraoral segment 18 includes an openend 21.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, when the anti-snoring device 10 is insertedinto a user's mouth 25 a buccopharyngeal pathway 11 is created forinspiratory and expiratory airflow as illustrated by arrows 22. Thebuccopharyngeal pathway 11, as used herein, is defined as a pathwayextending along an outer surface 28 of the of the user's dentition,between the outer surface 28 of the user's dentition and an innersurface 26 of the user's inner cheek, wherein dentition is defined asthe user's teeth and gums in the user's dental arch.

[0026] When the anti-snoring device 10 is positioned as shown, theintraoral segment 18 extends past a retromolar space 27 (defined as anarea in the user's upper or lower dentition past the user's last molaror an area past the user's upper and lower dentitions when the user'smouth is closed), enters the oropharynx 30 (defined as the posteriororal cavity behind the user's dentition) and terminates between theposterior tongue and the soft palate. The retromolar space 27 as definedherein is created by the removal or nonexistence of at least the upperand/or lower third molar in the user's mouth 25.

[0027] In the depicted embodiment, the user's mouth contains a firstupper molar 31 and a second upper molar 32, but does not contain a thirdupper molar. The absence of the third upper molar allows theanti-snoring device 10 to cross behind the user's dentition and enterthe user's oropharynx 30. Although, the upper teeth are depicted, adepiction of the lower teeth would be substantially similar and is notincluded herein to avoid duplicity.

[0028] Adjacent to the intraoral segment 18 is the intermediate segment16. The intermediate segment 16 extends along the buccopharyngealpathway 11. The intermediate segment 16 may be positioned adjacent tothe user's upper dentition, lower dentition or both the upper and lowerdentitions, and may pass through the retromolar space 27 in the user'supper dentition, lower dentition or both the upper and lower dentitions,as long as the intermediate segment 16 passes along the buccopharyngealpathway 11 and the intraoral segment 18 enters the oropharynx 30. Theextraoral segment 14 is adjacent to the intermediate segment 16. Theextraoral segment 14 extends past the user's lips 34 and outside theuser's mouth 25.

[0029] When the anti-snoring device 10 is positioned as described above,the unique buccopharyngeal pathway 11 is created as depicted by arrows22 for inspiratory and expiratory airflow during sleep. Thebuccopharyngeal pathway 11 is unique because it utilizes a route ofairflow that is typically not used in normal breathing patterns and isnot previously described in the medical literature as a route forrespiratory airflow. The buccopharyngeal pathway 11 presents a pathwayfor airflow during normal breathing patterns only when it is “stented”open by the anti-snoring device 10 as described above. The anti-snoringdevice 10 also allows for the buccopharyngeal pathway 11 to be stentedopen even with the user's mouth closed and allows the user's dentitionto remain in its natural and normal position, while accommodating normaljaw movement. As a result, normal swallowing, throat clearing, yawning,coughing and sneezing are not disturbed when the anti-snoring device 10is in the user's mouth. In addition, since the intraoral segment 18 ispositioned in the posterior oropharynx 30 and terminates on thelateral-posterior tongue the naturally triggered gag reflex is markedlydiminished.

[0030] The anti-snoring device 10 eliminates snoring, sleep disorderedbreathing and obstructive sleep apnea for several reasons. For example,the intraoral segment 18 “stents” open or separates the posterior tongueand the soft tissue of the soft palate, which tend to collapse andvibrate during sleep to create the sound of snoring. The anti-snoringdevice 10 also allows free flow of air to the posterior oral cavity at amarkedly reduced resistance which allows for a decreased vacuum(negative) pressure of inspiration and a reduced pulsion (positive)pressure of expiration.

[0031] The anti-snoring device 10 also contains a flexible outwardlyextending stop 13 that forms a portion of the intraoral segment 18. Inone embodiment, the stop 13 extends annularly about the tube 8. Inanother embodiment, the stop 13 extends from the outside diameter of thetube 8, but does not extend annularly about the tube 8. The stop 13serves to secure the anti-snoring device 10 against anteriordisplacement, and secures the intraoral segment 18 within the oropharynx30 of the user's mouth 25. The stop 13 is larger than the retromolarspace 27 and therefore prevents retraction therethrough. The stop 13frictionally secures the intraoral segment 18 within the oropharynx 30by abutting the last tooth in the retromolar space 27, which in thedepicted embodiment is the second molar 32, and/or the portions of thejaw bone and/or gums that surround the retromolar space 27.

[0032] The stop 13 may be adjustable along the length of the tube 8, forexample, by being slidably mounted on the outside diameter 42 of thetube 8. For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, the stop 13is a sleeve, that has an inner opening 52 that is slightly smaller thanor approximately equal to the outside diameter 42 of the tube 8. As aresult, the stop 13 is frictionally secured to the tube 8, but can beadjusted by the user along the outside diameter 42 of the tube 8 by theapplication of an appropriate force. The adjustability of the stop 13allows the anti-snoring device 10 to conform to the user's particularanatomy and allows the user to vary the length of the tube 8 that entersthe oropharynx 30.

[0033] The stop 13 may have any shape and size as long as it comfortablyfits within the oropharynx 30 of the user's mouth and secures theintraoral segment 18 within the oropharynx 30 of the user's mouth 25.For example, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, the stop 13 is asleeve having concentric circular outside and inside surfaces, whereinthe outside diameter d is approximately 28 French (Fr) to approximately38 Fr, the inside diameter id is approximately 26 Fr to approximately 36Fr, the length l is approximately {fraction (3/16)} inch toapproximately {fraction (1/2)} inch and the thickness t is approximately0.3 Fr to approximately 2.5 Fr, wherein 1 French is a unit of measureequal to 3.01 millimeters.

[0034] In one embodiment, the stop 13 has an outer diameter d ofapproximately 30 Fr, an inside diameter id of approximately 28 Fr, alength l of approximately {fraction (1/4)} inch, a thickness t ofapproximately 1.0 Fr and the tube 8 has an outside diameter 42 ofapproximately 28 Fr.

[0035] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1C-1D and 2B-3, the anti-snoringdevice 10 also contains a thin flexible retention diaphragm 12 thatforms a portion of the intermediate segment 16. The retention diaphragm12 contains a first side 38 that, due to its flexibility, conforms tothe user's inner lips and/or inner cheek and a second side 40 thatconforms to an outer surface of the user's teeth. The retentiondiaphragm 12 secures the intermediate segment 16 within the user'sbuccopharyngeal pathway 11 and prevents anterior displacement of theanti-snoring device 10. The retention diaphragm 12 also acts as a salivadam to prevent drooling of naturally occurring saliva developed duringsleep.

[0036] The retention diaphragm 12 is adjustable, for example, by beingslidably mounted to the outside diameter 42 of the tube 8. For examplein one embodiment, the retention diaphragm 12 includes an opening 50that is slightly smaller than or equal to the outside diameter 42 of thetube 8. As a result, the retention diaphragm 12 is frictionally securedto the tube 8, but can be adjusted by the user along the outsidediameter 42 of the tube 8 by the application of an appropriate force.The adjustability of the retention diaphragm 12 allows the anti-snoringdevice 10 to conform to the user's particular anatomy.

[0037] The retention diaphragm 12 may have any shape and size, as longas it fits comfortably within the user's mouth between the user's innerlips and/or inner cheek and an outer surface of the user's teeth. Forexample, the retention diaphragm 12 may be circular, rectangular,square, oval-shaped or any other suitable shape. In the embodiment shownherein, the retention diaphragm 12 has a square outer perimeter orshape, having sides that are approximately {fraction (3/4)} inch toapproximately 1½ inch. The square shape helps to prevent rotation of thedevice 10 when it is in use as described above. In the depictedembodiment, the retention diaphragm 12 has an outer perimeter that issquare having 1 inch sides, wherein the opening 50 is circular with adiameter of approximately 28 Fr and the tube 8 has an outside diameter42 of approximately 28 Fr. In the embodiments depicted, the retentiondiaphragm 12 has a thickness T of approximately 0.030 inches toapproximately 0.060 inches.

[0038] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C, each of the segments of thetube 8 (the extraoral segment 14, the intermediate segment 16, and theintraoral segment 18) additionally contains side openings or sideventilation openings 24A-24G. The ventilation openings 24A-24G serve tomaximize airflow that may be restricted, for example by pillows, bedsheets or other objects obstructing the open end 20 of the extraoralsegment 14 and/or soft tissue or other objects obstructing the open end21 of the intraoral segment 18.

[0039] For added ergonomic effect and comfort, and for proper fitting inthe user's mouth, the anti-snoring device 10 depicted in FIG. 1A-2C hasa preformed bend such that a convex side 44 of the tube 8 and anopposite concave side 45 of the tube 8 are curved to closely follow theshape of a typical user's dentition. For example, in one embodiment thebend approximates an arc of a circle having a radius in the range ofapproximately 2.5 inches to approximately 5.0 inches, such as 4.0inches.

[0040] In the depicted embodiment the ventilation openings 24A-24G arecircular in shape with a diameter of approximately 5 mm. In thisembodiment, the extraoral segment 14 contains one ventilation opening24A disposed on the convex side 44 of the tube 8, the intermediatesegment 16 contains two ventilation openings 24B and 24C disposed on anupper 46 side, between the convex 44 and concave 45 sides, of the tube8, and two ventilation openings 24D and 24E disposed on an oppositelower 48 side of the tube 8, and the intraoral segment 18 contains twoventilation openings 24F and 24G disposed on the convex side 44 of thetube 8 and one ventilation opening 24H disposed on the concave side 45of the tube 8.

[0041] However, the ventilation openings 24A-24G may have any size andshape and each segment 14, 16 and 18 may contain any number ofventilation openings 24A-24G as long as the ventilation openings 24A-24Gallow airflow to enter into the tube 8 and allow sufficient airflowthrough the tube 8 when the openings 20 and 21 at the extraoral 14 andthe intraoral 18 segments are obstructed. The ventilation openings24A-24G may also be disposed on the tube 8 at positions other than thatshown in FIGS. 2A-2C. However, the positions shown minimizes thelikelihood that the ventilation openings 24A-24G will be obstructed.

[0042] For example, positioning ventilation openings in the convex side44 of the extraoral segment 14 minimizes the likelihood that the user'souter lips will obstruct the ventilation openings in the extraoralsegment 14 since the user's lips are adjacent to the concave side 45 ofthe tube 8 when the anti-snoring device 10 is in use; positioningventilation openings between the convex 44 and concave 45 sides in theupper 46 and/or lower 48 sides of the intermediate segment 16 minimizesthe likelihood that the inner surface 26 of the user's inner cheekand/or the outer surface 28 of the of the user's dentition will obstructthe ventilation openings in the intermediate segment 16; and positioningventilation openings in the concave 45 and the convex 44 sides of theintraoral segment 18 minimizes the likelihood that the user's tongue orsoft palate will obstruct the ventilation openings in the intraoralsegment 18.

[0043] The preformed bend of the anti-snoring device 10, having theconvex 44 and the concave 45 sides that are curved to closely follow theshape of a typical user's dentition, facilitates the user in properlyinserting the anti-snoring device 10 into the user's mouth and ensuresthat when the anti-snoring device 10 is inserted properly, theventilation openings 24A-24G are properly aligned within the user'smouth. However, as shown in FIG. 3, when the user positions theintraoral segment 18 beyond the retromolar space 27 in the user's mouth,into the oropharynx and terminating between the posterior tongue and thesoft palate, the intraoral segment 18 may bend inwardly more sharplythan the preformed bend for proper placement in the user's mouth. In oneembodiment, the above described preformed bend contains an additionalinward bend 60 near the junction of the intermediate 16 and intraoral 18segments as shown in FIG. 3. The inward bend 60 is bent at an angle α inthe range of approximately 65 degrees to 135 degrees, such as 100degrees.

[0044] In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the open end 21 of the intraoralsegment 18 is cut straight across the tube 8, i.e. approximatelystraight across from the upper side 46 of the tube 8 to a lower side 48of the tube 8. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1B-2C, the open end 21A ofthe intraoral segment 18 is angled starting from the upper side 46 ofthe tube 8 to a lower side 48 of the tube 8 at an angle. In oneembodiment, this angle is approximately 45 degrees, however, in otherembodiments larger or smaller angles may be used. The angled open end21A of the intraoral segment 18 facilitates insertion of the intraoralsegment 18 into the retromolar space 27. In addition, the angled openend 21A of the intraoral segment 18 makes it less likely that the tongueor soft palate will occlude the open end 21A when the anti-snoringdevice 10 is in use.

[0045] In one embodiment, the tube 8 has a predetermined length ofapproximately 9 cm to approximately 13 cm. Although other lengths may beused, when the tube length is longer than 15 cm the extraoral segment 14extends too far from the typical user's mouth, which may cause theextraoral segment 14 to bind or become obstructed, and when the tubelength is shorter than 9 cm the tube 8 is not long enough for both theextraoral segment 14 to extend from the user's mouth and the intraoralsegment 18 to extend into the oropharynx 30 of the user's mouth for atypical user. In one embodiment, the tube 8 has a length of 12 cm.

[0046] In one embodiment, the tube 8, the retention diaphragm 12 and thestop 13 are each composed of a flexible, elastic material, such as anon-latex polyvinyl chloride material. When the anti-snoring device 10is composed of a flexible, elastic material, the anti-snoring device 10is allowed to negotiate the contours of the user's buccopharyngealpathway 11 while maintaining user comfort. In addition, the flexibilityand elasticity of the anti-snoring device 10 allows for a compression ofthe anti-snoring device 10 during normal sleeping functions, such asswallowing and teeth clenching, while allowing the anti-snoring device10 to regain its original dimension when those force are relieved.

[0047] In the depicted embodiments, the outside diameter 42 of the tube8 is approximately 26 Fr to approximately 36 Fr, the inside diameter 43of the tube is approximately 24 Fr to approximately 34 Fr, and thethickness 41 of the tube 8 is approximately 0.3 Fr to approximately 2.5Fr. In one embodiment, the outside diameter 42 of the tube 8 isapproximately 28 Fr, the inside diameter 43 of the tube 8 isapproximately 26 Fr and the thickness 41 of the tube 8 is approximately1.0 Fr.

[0048] The outside diameter 42 of the tube 8 may be larger than 36 Fr,but at diameters larger than 36 Fr user comfort begins to decrease. Theinside diameter 43 of the tube 8 may be smaller than 26 Fr, butsufficient airflow begins to diminish at 26 Fr. The thickness 41 of thetube 8 may be smaller than 0.3 Fr or larger than 2.5 Fr, but at smallerthicknesses the device 10 becomes too flimsy and a larger thicknessesthe device 10 becomes too stiff.

[0049] In one embodiment, all of the outer edges of the tube 8, theretention diaphragm 12 and the stop 13 are rounded to avoid abrasion orirritation of the user's soft tissue when the device is in use, asdescribed above.

[0050] Any of the embodiments described above may include the preformedshape as shown in FIG. 5. In the preformed shape of FIG. 5, the tube 8includes a first concave surface 54A and an opposite first convexsurface 56A that each integrally adjoin, respectively, a second convexsurface 54B and an opposite second concave surface 56B, such that thetube 8 is approximately “S-shaped”. In one embodiment, the first concavesurface 54A and the first convex surface 56A are disposed on theextraoral 14 and intermediate 16 segments and the second convex surface54B and the second concave surface 56B are disposed 16 on the intraoralsegment 18.

[0051] In any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, the stop 13 may beformed as a preformed expansion in the tube 8 (as is shown in FIGS. 4Aand 4B), that extends from outside diameter 42 of the tube 8. In oneembodiment, the preformed expansion extends annularly about the tube 8.In another embodiment, the preformed expansion extends from the outsidediameter of the tube 8, but does not extend annularly about the tube 8.

[0052] In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the dimensions of thestop 13 when the stop 13 is formed as a preformed expansion in the tube8 (the outer diameter d, the inside diameter id, the length l, and thethickness t) are approximately the same as the dimensional ranges givenabove in the embodiments where the stop 13 is a sleeve.

[0053] The preceding description has been presented with reference tovarious embodiments of the invention. Persons skilled in the art andtechnology to which this invention pertains will appreciate thatalterations and changes in the described structures and methods ofoperation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from theprinciple, spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, theforegoing description should not be read as pertaining only to theprecise structures described and shown in the accompanying drawings, butrather should be read as consistent with and as support for thefollowing claims, which are to have their fullest and fairest scope.

1. An anti-snoring device for use in a user's mouth comprising: aflexible hollow tube for insertion into the user's mouth, havingproximal and distal ends and an outer perimeter, the tube comprising: anextraoral segment, which extends to the proximal end of the tube and hasat least one opening, for extending beyond the user's outer lips; anintraoral segment, which extends to the distal end of the tube and hasat least one opening, having a sufficient length for extending beyond aretromolar space in the user's mouth, into the oropharynx andterminating between the posterior tongue and the soft palate; and anintermediate segment, which extends between the extraoral and intraoralsegments, having a sufficient length for extending along thebuccopharyngeal pathway of the user's mouth; and a stop extending fromthe outer perimeter of the tube on the intraoral segment for securingthe intraoral segment against movement along a lengthwise direction ofthe tube within the user's oropharynx.
 2. The anti-snoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the stop comprises an outer perimeter that is largerthan the retromolar space and the outer perimeter of the tube is smallerthan the retromolar space.
 3. The anti-snoring device of claim 1,wherein the stop has a thickness in the range of approximately 0.3French to approximately 2.5 French.
 4. The anti-snoring device of claim1, wherein the stop is adjustable along the length of the intraoralsegment.
 5. The anti-snoring device of claim 4, wherein the stopcomprises an inner aperture that is slightly smaller than the outerperimeter of the tube to resist movement along the tube and wherein theinner aperture of the stop is slidably mounted along the outer perimeterof the tube when a sufficient force is applied by the user.
 6. Theanti-snoring device of claim 1, wherein the extraoral segment comprisesan open end and wherein the intraoral segment comprises an open end. 7.The anti-snoring device of claim 1, wherein the end of the intraoralsegment is angled to facilitate insertion of the intraoral segment intothe retromolar space.
 8. The anti-snoring device of claim 1, wherein theopen end of the intraoral segment is angled starting from an upper sideof the tube to a lower side of the tube.
 9. The anti-snoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the tube comprises an outer preformed bend having aconvex side and an opposite concave side.
 10. The anti-snoring device ofclaim 1, wherein the intraoral segment comprises at least oneventilation opening.
 11. The anti-snoring device of claim 10, whereinthe intermediate segment comprises at least one ventilation opening. 12.The anti-snoring device of claim 11, wherein the extraoral segmentcomprises at least one ventilation opening.
 13. The anti-snoring deviceof claim 9, wherein the extraoral segment comprises an open end andwherein the intraoral segment comprises an open end and at least oneventilation opening disposed on at least one of the convex side and theconcave side of the tube.
 14. The anti-snoring device of claim 13,wherein the intermediate segment contains at least one ventilationopening disposed on at least one of an upper side between the convex andconcave sides of the tube and an opposite lower side of the tube. 15.The anti-snoring device of claim 14, wherein the extraoral segmentcomprises at least one ventilation opening disposed on the convex sideof the tube.
 16. The anti-snoring device of claim 1, further comprisinga retention diaphragm on the intermediate segment of the tube forsecuring the intermediate segment within the user's buccopharyngealpathway.
 17. The anti-snoring device of claim 16, wherein the retentiondiaphragm is flexible and comprises a first side for conforming to theuser's inner lips and a second side for conforming to an outer surfaceof the user's teeth.
 18. The anti-snoring device of claim 11, whereinthe retention diaphragm is adjustable along the length of theintermediate segment.
 19. The anti-snoring device of claim 18, whereinthe retention diaphragm comprises an inner aperture that is smaller thanthe outer perimeter of the tube and wherein the inner aperture of theretention diaphragm is slidably mounted along the outer perimeter of thetube.
 20. The anti-snoring device of claim 16, wherein a perimeter ofthe retention diaphragm around the tube is substantially rectangular inshape.
 21. The anti-snoring device of claim 1, wherein the flexiblehollow tube and the stop each comprise a non-latex polyvinyl chloridematerial.
 22. The anti-snoring device of claim 16, wherein the retentiondiaphragm comprises a non-latex polyvinyl chloride material.
 23. Theanti-snoring device of claim 1, wherein the tube has a performed outershape comprising a first portion with a first concave surface and anopposite first convex surface and a second portion with a second convexsurface and an opposite second concave surface.
 24. The anti-snoringdevice of claim 1, wherein the stop is formed as a preformed expansionin the tube.
 25. An anti-snoring device for use in a user's mouthcomprising: a flexible hollow tube for insertion into the user's mouth,having proximal and distal ends and an outer perimeter, the tubecomprising: an extraoral segment, which extends to the proximal end ofthe tube and has at least one opening, for extending beyond the user'souter lips; an intraoral segment, which extends to the distal end of thetube and has at least one opening, having a sufficient length forextending beyond a retromolar space in the user's mouth, into theoropharynx and terminating between the posterior tongue and the softpalate; and an intermediate segment, which extends between the extraoraland intraoral segments, having a sufficient length for extending alongthe buccopharyngeal pathway of the user's mouth; and a stop extendingfrom the outer perimeter of the tube on the intraoral segment forsecuring the intraoral segment within the user's oropharynx, wherein theouter perimeter of the stop is larger than the outer perimeter of thetube, and wherein the tube comprises an outer preformed bend having aconvex side and an opposite concave side.
 26. The anti-snoring device ofclaim 25, wherein the stop comprises an outer perimeter that is largerthan the retromolar space and the outer perimeter of the tube is smallerthan the retromolar space.
 27. The anti-snoring device of claim 25,wherein the stop comprises an inner perimeter that is slightly smallerthan the outer perimeter of the tube and wherein the stop has athickness in the range of approximately 0.3 French to approximately 2.5French.
 28. The anti-snoring device of claim 25, wherein the extraoralsegment comprises an open end and wherein the intraoral segmentcomprises an open end.
 29. The anti-snoring device of claim 28, whereinthe extraoral segment comprises at least one ventilation openingdisposed on the convex side of the tube, wherein the intermediatesegment contains at least one ventilation opening disposed on at leastone of an upper side between the convex and concave sides of the tubeand an opposite lower side of the tube, and wherein the intraoralsegment comprises at least one ventilation opening disposed on at leastone of the convex side and the concave side of the tube.
 30. Theanti-snoring device of claim 25, further comprising a retentiondiaphragm on the intermediate segment of the tube for securing theintermediate segment within the user's buccopharyngeal pathway.
 31. Amethod of reducing snoring in a user's mouth comprising: inserting intothe user's mouth a flexible hollow tube having proximal and distal ends;positioning an extraoral segment of the tube, which extends to theproximal end of the tube and has at least one opening, exterior to theuser's lips; positioning an intraoral segment of the tube, which extendsto the distal end of the tube and has at least one opening, beyond aretromolar space in the user's mouth, into the oropharynx andterminating between the posterior tongue and the soft palate; andpositioning an intermediate segment of the tube, which extends betweenthe extraoral and intraoral segments, along the buccopharyngeal pathwayof the user's mouth.
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprisingsecuring the intermediate segment within the buccopharyngeal pathway.33. The method of claim 32, wherein securing the intermediate segmentwithin the buccopharyngeal pathway comprises positioning a retentiondiaphragm between the user's inner lips and an outer surface of theuser's teeth.
 34. The method of claim 31, further comprising securingthe intraoral segment within the oropharynx.
 35. The method of claim 34,wherein securing the intraoral segment within the oropharynx comprisespositioning a stop adjacent to a last tooth that is adjacent to theuser's retromolar space.
 36. The method of claim 31, further comprisingseparating at least a portion of the posterior tongue and the softpalate by positioning at least a portion of the intraoral segmenttherebetween.